Lifted from their upcoming album, The Smile’s Friend Of A Friend will feature in the band’s album film, Wall Of Eyes.
The Smile have released Friend Of A Friend, the latest single lifted from the band’s forthcoming sophomore album, Wall Of Eyes.
The track fittingly dips into the sounds and styles The Smile have mastered since their 2022 debut, tracing the band from brooding basslines to twinkling piano keys, as guided by Thom Yorke’s ever-buttery vocals.
Friend Of Friend features string arrangements by London Contemporary Orchestra, as well as saxophonist Robert Stillman.
The single is the third to be lifted from the band’s upcoming album, following the release of previous tracks Bending Hectic and Wall Of Eyes, the latter of which serves as the project’s title.
Friend Of A Friend will be accompanied by an official music video, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
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The video will form part of The Smile’s accompanying album film, also titled Wall Of Eyes and featuring a playback of the record and never-before-seen footage of its recording sessions.
Anderson — who has also directed motion pictures like Phantom Thread and Inherent Vice — took the reins on the album film, which will premiere in one-off theatre events around the world from January 18 to January 25.
The Australian screening of the Wall Of Eyes film will take place at the Golden Age Cinema in Sydney on January 23. New York, Milan, Paris and Tokyo are among the 13 cities set to screen the film. Find ticketing and event details here.
Alongside his filmography, Anderson has collaborated with York previously on music videos for Radiohead’s Daydreaming, Present Tense, and The Numbers. He also collaborated with HAIM on the video for their 2019 track, Now I’m In It.
The Smile debuted Friend Of A Friend at various shows throughout their 2022 tour, launched in support of their debut studio album, A Light for Attracting Attention.
The band’s sophomore follow-up Wall Of Eyes is set for release on January 26. In the meantime, check out The Smile’s new single Friend Of A Friend below.
